Pipe connection.



F. L. SEHNERT & G. J. MQMANUS.

PIPE CONNECTION.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.26,1908.

fifififia Patented May 31, 1910.

ATTORI'VE I FRED L. SEHNERT AND GEORGE J. MGMANUS,

0F HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNORS OF NINETY-FIVE ONE-HUNDBEDTHS TOSAID-1VI01VIANUS AND FIVE ONE-HUNDREDTI'IS TO SAID SEI-INERT.

PIPE CONNECTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 31, 1910.

Application filed December 26, 1908. Serial No. 469,401.

pipe sections, each provided with joint-. members, said members being soformed as to readily unite with each other; and means 1 for securing theunion of said members.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection of the characterdescribed, which will impart flexibility to pipes, composed of aplurality of sections, joined by our improved connection, irrespectiveof the inflexible nature of the material of which the sections of saidpipe is composed; and it will be observed, that by disposing saidconnect-ions, so that they will operate at varying angles to each other,a flexible pipe is provided, and the prime object of the inventionattained.

A, further feature of the invention resides in the novel constructionand arrangement of the co-acting parts of the connections, by reason ofwhich, the pipe or hose may be moved, or bent in any direction withoutany constriction of the internalpassage-way through said pipe; and astill further, and important feature of the invention resides in theconstruction of the connection, whereby any internal pressure upon saidconnection, outwardly, operates to hold the joint-members the moresecurely together, thereby providing a hose specially adapted towithstand great internal pressure and at the same time to be flexible. Apipe so constructed is specially adapted to be used for connectingrailway cars and to take the place of the rubber hose connection now incommon use. Finally, the object of the invention is to provide a deviceof the character described, that will be easily constructed, simple,easily taken apart and united together, and one which will be eflicientand easily kept in working order.

With the above and other objects in view, our invention has particularrelation to certain novel features of construction and op eration, anexample of which is given in this specification, which we do declare tobe an exact, clear and complete description of our invention, referencebeing had to the drawings, and the numerals of designation markedthereon,which are madea part hereof, and wherein,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal side elevation of several sections of thepipe, connected. Fig. 2, is a modified form. of the device shown inFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of theconnections, while Figs. 4 and 5 are modifications of the form ofconnections shown in Fig. 3.

The only substantial difference between the forms shown in Figs. 1 and2, consists of the elimination, in Fig. 2, of the bends, 0r shoulders,shown in the sections of Fig. 1. In the form shown in Fig. 2, eachsection of the pipe is capable of performing a complete rotation aroundthe joint or coupling, while the sections of a pipe constructed as shownin Fig. 1 would be capable of only a partial rotation around saidconnection, the shoulder of one section coming into contact with theother section, and preventing a complete rotation thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numeralsof reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, thenumerals l and 2 designate a number of sections. These sections arejoined by suitable connections or joints 3 and i, the joints 3operating, preferably, at right angles to the joint 4:. As the sectionsare formed of metal or some other suitable hard material, it is apparentthat a flexible pipe is provided, and it is further obvious that thesaid pipe is movable in various directions, and may be formed of anydesired number of sections and joints, the same being of any desiredlength and size.

Referring to joint i of Fig. 1, which is of substantially the sameconstruction as all of the other joints, it is to be observed that thisjoint is substantially cylindrical in shape, one portion or joint-member5 being formed on the section 2 and the corresponding jointmember 6being formed on the section 1, each joint member being cylindrical inshape and being approximately equal to the other joint member. Thejoint-member 5 is provided with a central opening 7 surrounded by groundseat 8. This ground seat 8 is provided with a truncated and groundflange 9 which is adapted to engage in a triangular ground groove 10carried by the overlapping rim 11 of sleeve 12. This sleeve 12 iscylindrical in shape and is designed to be passed snugly through thecylindrical opening 7 and is threaded at its lower end so as to engagethe thread 28 of joint-member 6. The groove 10 is carried upon the underside of the overlapping rim l1 and the flange 9 being truncated a smalltriangular vacant space 18 is left in the apex of groove 10 which may befilled with a lubricant, such as graphite composition, which will servethe dual purpose of lubricating the joints and of assisting in makingthe same air tight. This space is also gradually taken up by the wearupon the ground sur face of the flange, and the connection thus renderedair tight for a great length of time; and spaces 14 are left between therim 11 of the sleeve 12, and the joint member 2, to allow the sleeve tocontinue to fit closely down upon flange 9 as the same wears away.

A screw-threaded cap 15 is provided for permitting access to thecomponent parts of the joints and is screwed into joint-member 5 as isshown in Fig. 3. This cap is provided with suitable recesses 16 forengaging with a wrench, or other instrument, which may be used inunscrewing the same, and is preferably flat surfaced so that the jointswill not be cumbersome.

A cap screw 17 is provided for oint-memher 6 and is alined with thethreads of the sleeve 12. This cap-screw is provided for the purpose ofpermitting the insertion of a tap screw 18 which is designed to bescrewed into a tapped hole directly through the threads between thesleeve 12 and the threaded portion of joint member 6 into which saidsleeve screws.

The extreme sections are designed to be attached to the usual angle cock(not shown) in any suitable manner and a complete flexi ble couplingthus provided which operates,

for all practical purposes the same as the flexible couplings now incommon use.

In Figs. 4 and 5 we have shown fragmentary views of slightly modifiedforms of our joint connections. In Fig. 4 the joint member 6 is providedwith an upstanding nipple 18 integral therewith, and extending upthrough the central opening 7 of joint member 5. This upstanding nippleis provided upon its periphery with threads 19 for re ceiving ring nut20. This ring nut 20 is ground smooth on its underside and is pro videdon said underside with a circular ground groove 21 for receiving acorresponding circular ground flange 22 which is carried upon the groundseat 8 of joint-member 5, thus forming a ground joint which will reventthe escape of air or liquid from the inside but which will allow themembers to swing freely upon one another. In this Fig. 4 we have shown acapstan screw 23 which is placed in a tapped hole directly through thethreads between the upstanding nipple and the ring nut 20. This screw isprovided for the purpose of securely locking said ring nut 20 againstrotation. Fig. 5 shows an upstanding nipple whose function is the sameas the upstanding nipple shown in Fig. 4. In this figure 24L designatesan internal sleeve which is provided with threads to engage with threadson the upstanding nipple. These threads are made on the shouldered part25, and the nipple is so shouldered that when the sleeve 24L is screwedthereon the face of the sleeve and the nipple will be flush with eachother and a smooth surface will thus be provided which will not obstructthe passage of any liquid through the cylindrical opening 7. The saidsleeve is provided with an overlapping rim 26 which is designed to actas a lock on ring nut 27 which corresponds to ring nut 20 in Fig. 4.

A flexible pipe constructed of sections which are united by means of theconnections herein set forth will be not only compact and practical butwill be found to be capable of resisting great internal pressure, andwill be found to be very efficient, as a substitute for the rubber hose,which is now in common use in railroad car couplings and will be founduseful wherever power is to be transmitted through hose or tubing; andthe joints or connections will not be so cumbersome or so liable todisconnection as the couplings now in common use.

WVhat we claim is 1. In a coupling of the character described thecombination with a plurality of sections of a joint member carried byeach section; a tubular connecting member pro jecting through one ofsaid joint members and having a threaded engagement at one end with theother of said joint members, an overhanging shoulder carried by the freeend of said connecting member forengaging with the first, mentionedmember, said shoulder having a circular ground groove upon the underside thereof; a circular truncated ground flange carried by said firstmentioned joint member and coinciding with and fitting said groove, saidgroove being of such a depth as to only partially embrace the flange anda removable cap for permitting access to the interior of said coupling.

2. In a coupling of the character described, the combination with aplurality of sections of a joint member carried by each section; atubular connecting member having a threaded engagement at one end withone of said members and projecting through the wall of the other of saidmembers in such a manner as to provide an unrestricted passage waybet-ween the interior passage ways of the said sections; an annularoutwardly extending flange carried by the free end of said connectingmember and adapted to engage with the said wall of the last mentionedjoint member, said flange being provided upon its under side with acircular ground groove; an upstanding truncated ground flange carried bysaid wall and projecting into said groove; a removable cap carried bysaid last mentioned joint member for permitting access to the interiorof said coupling; a means for securing said coupling member againstdetachment from its joint member and means for permitting the insertionof the last mentioned means.

3. In a coupling of the character described, the combination with aplurality of sections of a joint member carried by each section; atubular connecting member having a threaded engagement at one end withone of said members and projecting through the wall of the other of saidmembers in such a manner as to provide an unrestricted passage waybetween the interior passage ways of the said sections; an annularoutwardly extending flange carried by the free end of said connectingmember and adapted to engage with the said wall of the last mentionedjoint member, said flange being provided upon its under side with acircular ground groove; an upstanding truncated ground flange carried bysaid wall and projecting into said groove; a removable cap carried bysaid last mentioned oint member for permitting access to the interior ofsaid coupling; a top screw for securing said coupling member againstdetachment from its oint member and a removable screw cap carried bysaid oint member for permitting the insertion of said securing screw.

4. In a coupling of the character described the combination with aplurality of sections of a joint member carried by each sect-ion; aconnecting member projecting through one of said joint members andhaving engagement at one end with the other of said joint members, anoverhanging shoulder carried by the free end of said connecting memberfor engaging with the first mentioned member, said shoulder having acircular ground groove upon the under side thereof; a circular truncatedground flange carried by said first mentioned joint member andcoinciding with and fitting said groove, said groove being of such adepth as to only partially embrace the flange, and a removable cap forpermitting access to the interior of said coupling.

5. In a coupling of the character described, the combination with aplurality of sections of a joint member carried by each section; aconnecting member having detachable engagement at one end with one ofsaid members and projecting through the wall of the other of saidmembers in such a manner as to provide an unrestricted passage waybetween the interior passage ways of the said sections; an annularoutwardly extending flange carried by the free end of said connectingmember and adapted to engage with the said wall of the last mentionedjoint member, said flange being provided upon its under side with acircular ground groove; an upstanding truncated ground flange carried bysaid wall and projecting into said groove; a removable cap carried bysaid last mentioned joint member for permitting access to the interiorof said coupling; a means for securing said coupling member againstdetachment from its joint member and means for permitting the insert-ionof the last mentioned means.

6. In a coupling of the character described, the combination with aplurality of sections of a joint member carried by each section; aconnecting member having engagement at one end with one of said membersand projecting through the wall of the other of said members in such amanner as to provide an unrestricted passage way between the interiorpassage ways of the said sections; an annular outwardly extending flangecarried by the free end of said connecting member and adapted to engagewith the said wall of the last mentioned joint member, said flange beingprovided upon its under side with a circular groove; an upstandingflange carried by said wall and projecting into said groove; a removablecap carried by said last mentioned joint.

member for permitting access to the interior of said coupling; a tapscrew for securing said coupling member against detachment from itsjoint member and a removable screw cap carried by said joint member forpermitting the insertion of said securing screw.

7. In a coupling of the character described the combination with aplurality of sections of a joint member carried by each section; atubular connecting member projecting through one of said joint membersand having engagement at one end with the other of said joint members,an overhanging shoulder carried by the free end of said connectingmember for engaging with the first mentioned member, said shoulderhaving a circular ground groove upon the under side thereof; a circulartruncated ground flange carried by said first mentioned oint member andcoinciding with and fitting said groove, and a removable cap forpermitting access to the interior of said coupling.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with twofluid conducting coupling members having flat contacting faces, of aflange carried by one of said coupling members, a coupling sleevethreaded into the other of said coupling members and projecting into thefirst coupling member, said sleeve being formed with an outwardlyprojecting flange overlapping the flange carried by said. couplingmember, the contacting faces of said flanges being provided with.intermesh-ing means, and-a locking screw which pierces the wall of saidsleeve and enters the second mentioned coupling member to thereby bindsaid sleeve against movement with relation to said coupling member, theoutwardly projecting flange of the coupling sleeve extendingsubstantially from wall to wall of the first named coupling member andsaid screw extending upwardly into said sleeve, and a re- 15 FRED L.sEH'NERT. GEORGE J. McMANUS.

Witnesses:

CHAS. R. MUNGER, WM. A. CATHEY.

